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105
After first trying to promote white
businessmen as candidates in the days
before the meeting, Russell came to a
compromise with Sprunt: some Democratic
candidates were withdrawn and replaced
with others less offensive to the Republican
Party in return for a deletion of the
Republican slate. 28 Russell then prevented a
Republican ticket after calling French to
Raleigh to explain the compromise. 29
view of the approaching election which threatens to
provoke a war between the white and black races.
We have frequently observed during political
campaigns in the past, a degree of hostility which, at
times, appeared to threaten the public peace but
which passed off when wiser counsel prevailed; but
the present state of excitement is apparently and
really beyond bounds and we declare to your our
conviction that we are on the brink of a revolution
which can only be averted by the suppression of a
republican ticket. The white people, and tax payers
generally, protest that they have been driven to
desperation, and we have no hesitation in saying that,
even the unusual indiscretion of political partisans on
the next election day, will precipitate a conflict which
may cost hundreds, and perhaps thousands of lives
and the partial or entire destruction of the city. We
therefore on behalf of the conservative business firms
of Wilmington deeply interested in the peace and
welfare of our community, entreat you as the
representative of the republican party here, to meet
the emergency and avert a calamity by the means
which we have indicated or by some other personal
or political sacrifice which would be gratefully
recognized and approved by our conservative and
patriotic people who look to you in this extremity.”
James Sprunt to Governor Russell, October 24, 1898,
Alexander Sprunt and Son, Inc. Papers, Duke
University Library, Durham. This letter was also
reprinted in the October 28, 1898 issue of the
Wilmington Messenger.
28 Some of the white businessmen named as potential
candidates for the Republican slate were openly
against running for office during the election,
particularly Benjamin Keith and D. L. Gore.
McDuffie, “ Politics in Wilmington,” 641- 643;
Morning Star, ( Wilmington), October 28, 1898;
Charlotte Daily Observer, November 2, 1898.
29 An unsigned note in James Sprunt’s papers at Duke
University provides insight: “ For the Republican
Party of New Hanover County to make no
nominations for County Commissioners, Sheriff,
Register of Deeds, Treasurer, Coroner, Clerk of
French returned to Wilmington just before
the Republican convention on October 29 at
the courthouse where county Republicans
reluctantly complied. 30 The last African
American candidate, incumbent Register of
Deeds Charles Norwood, announced on
November 3 that he would not run for
reelection. Norwood stated in the paper that
because “ it was evident to him that a race
war was being stirred up,” he wanted to
“ take no part in any such proceedings” and,
as such, “ he thought it advisable to
withdraw.” 31
The compromise was tenuous and
local Republicans were unhappy with
Democratic Party machinations. 32 Flavel
Superior Court or Members of the House of
Representatives, provided the Dem Party shall
support for the house of Representatives any two of
the following named gentlemen as representatives of
the business interests of the City and County: E. S.
Martin, D. L. Fore, Martin Willard, George Rountree,
Henry McQueen, William Gilchrist, Roger Moore, R.
W. Hicks, Frank McNeil, Junius Davis, J. C.
Stevenson, Oscar Pearsall, Sam. Bear, Jr., S. P.
McNair, C. W. Yates, J. W. Atkinson. These
concessions to be upon the basis that such action will
bring about a better state of feeling and result in a
peaceable and orderly election for County State
Senatorial and Congressional offices, without
interference with the rights of lawful voters.”
Russell’s bargaining removed from the slate several
Democrats, including Joseph Carr and George
Peschau, who would have pushed for his
impeachment had they been elected to the legislature.
Alexander Sprunt and Son, Inc. Papers, Duke
University Library, Durham; Contested Election
Case, 255; McDuffie, “ Politics in Wilmington,” 642.
30 Despite last minute machinations by white
Republicans, resistant black leaders urged others to
go to the polls “ prepared to fight” for their right to
vote. McDuffie, “ Politics in Wilmington,” 623.
31 Wilmington Messenger, November 4, 1898.
32 Local Democrats were encouraged by the
compromise and took note of the capitulation in their
letters and diaries. Peter Mallett recorded in his daily
journal that the “ Republicans accede to demands of
the Citizens.” Despite Russell’s compromise in order
to maintain peace, about a week before the election
Democrats in the city became more “ emboldened and
violent.” Contested Election Case, 36- 7; Rountree,

105
After first trying to promote white
businessmen as candidates in the days
before the meeting, Russell came to a
compromise with Sprunt: some Democratic
candidates were withdrawn and replaced
with others less offensive to the Republican
Party in return for a deletion of the
Republican slate. 28 Russell then prevented a
Republican ticket after calling French to
Raleigh to explain the compromise. 29
view of the approaching election which threatens to
provoke a war between the white and black races.
We have frequently observed during political
campaigns in the past, a degree of hostility which, at
times, appeared to threaten the public peace but
which passed off when wiser counsel prevailed; but
the present state of excitement is apparently and
really beyond bounds and we declare to your our
conviction that we are on the brink of a revolution
which can only be averted by the suppression of a
republican ticket. The white people, and tax payers
generally, protest that they have been driven to
desperation, and we have no hesitation in saying that,
even the unusual indiscretion of political partisans on
the next election day, will precipitate a conflict which
may cost hundreds, and perhaps thousands of lives
and the partial or entire destruction of the city. We
therefore on behalf of the conservative business firms
of Wilmington deeply interested in the peace and
welfare of our community, entreat you as the
representative of the republican party here, to meet
the emergency and avert a calamity by the means
which we have indicated or by some other personal
or political sacrifice which would be gratefully
recognized and approved by our conservative and
patriotic people who look to you in this extremity.”
James Sprunt to Governor Russell, October 24, 1898,
Alexander Sprunt and Son, Inc. Papers, Duke
University Library, Durham. This letter was also
reprinted in the October 28, 1898 issue of the
Wilmington Messenger.
28 Some of the white businessmen named as potential
candidates for the Republican slate were openly
against running for office during the election,
particularly Benjamin Keith and D. L. Gore.
McDuffie, “ Politics in Wilmington,” 641- 643;
Morning Star, ( Wilmington), October 28, 1898;
Charlotte Daily Observer, November 2, 1898.
29 An unsigned note in James Sprunt’s papers at Duke
University provides insight: “ For the Republican
Party of New Hanover County to make no
nominations for County Commissioners, Sheriff,
Register of Deeds, Treasurer, Coroner, Clerk of
French returned to Wilmington just before
the Republican convention on October 29 at
the courthouse where county Republicans
reluctantly complied. 30 The last African
American candidate, incumbent Register of
Deeds Charles Norwood, announced on
November 3 that he would not run for
reelection. Norwood stated in the paper that
because “ it was evident to him that a race
war was being stirred up,” he wanted to
“ take no part in any such proceedings” and,
as such, “ he thought it advisable to
withdraw.” 31
The compromise was tenuous and
local Republicans were unhappy with
Democratic Party machinations. 32 Flavel
Superior Court or Members of the House of
Representatives, provided the Dem Party shall
support for the house of Representatives any two of
the following named gentlemen as representatives of
the business interests of the City and County: E. S.
Martin, D. L. Fore, Martin Willard, George Rountree,
Henry McQueen, William Gilchrist, Roger Moore, R.
W. Hicks, Frank McNeil, Junius Davis, J. C.
Stevenson, Oscar Pearsall, Sam. Bear, Jr., S. P.
McNair, C. W. Yates, J. W. Atkinson. These
concessions to be upon the basis that such action will
bring about a better state of feeling and result in a
peaceable and orderly election for County State
Senatorial and Congressional offices, without
interference with the rights of lawful voters.”
Russell’s bargaining removed from the slate several
Democrats, including Joseph Carr and George
Peschau, who would have pushed for his
impeachment had they been elected to the legislature.
Alexander Sprunt and Son, Inc. Papers, Duke
University Library, Durham; Contested Election
Case, 255; McDuffie, “ Politics in Wilmington,” 642.
30 Despite last minute machinations by white
Republicans, resistant black leaders urged others to
go to the polls “ prepared to fight” for their right to
vote. McDuffie, “ Politics in Wilmington,” 623.
31 Wilmington Messenger, November 4, 1898.
32 Local Democrats were encouraged by the
compromise and took note of the capitulation in their
letters and diaries. Peter Mallett recorded in his daily
journal that the “ Republicans accede to demands of
the Citizens.” Despite Russell’s compromise in order
to maintain peace, about a week before the election
Democrats in the city became more “ emboldened and
violent.” Contested Election Case, 36- 7; Rountree,